Years before the events of Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, Desaix was willingly killing the children of the royal family, with General Mycen attempting to stop him, only for Desaix to charge him with the crime and having him banished. He eventually ordered Slayde to kill both princess Anthiese and prince Conrad during the king and the royal guard's absence, as well as killing everyone else in the royal villa in order to avoid witnesses. While the prince was presumed dead, Mycen managed to take the princess with him before Desaix could have her killed. 16 years later, Desaix began his rebellion, conquering the Zofian castle and killing the king. In response to this, a resistance led by Clive was formed in order to oppose Desaix, though he manages to capture the Zofian knight Mathilda in order to use her as leverage to force his surrender. Eventually, Alm took control of the resistance and reclaimed Zofia Castle. What seemed to be Desaix, however, turned out to be no more than an imposter (which is revealed if the player kills Desaix prior to Slayde). After the battle, his foothold in the Zofian capital was no more. Leaving some of his men behind, his remaining forces retreated back to his fortress in Northern Zofia, while he took the royal sword with him for unknown reasons. When Alm's army arrives in time to save Mathilda, he orders for her to be executed slowly with arrows. Having foreseen their army's approach, Desaix had requested aid from Rigel in order to finally thwart the Deliverance. Despite the aid, however, Alm's forces attacked the fortress and Desaix is killed, with Desaix cursing Mycen for giving the Kingdom to Rudolf's Pup, having discovered his identity earlier.